8 Key Trends Driving the Future of Telehealth
Telehealth has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a more convenient way for individuals to access healthcare services. This trend has grown significantly in the field of mental healthcare and medication assisted treatment for substance use disorders. In this article, we will explore eight key trends driving the future of telehealth specifically in these areas.
1. Increased Access to Care
One of the most significant benefits of telehealth is increased access to care. Patients can receive treatment from the comfort of their own home, school, work, or other convenient location, removing the barriers of physical distance and mobility issues that may otherwise prevent individuals from receiving necessary care.
Increased access to care for patients, combined with a comparatively low overhead for healthcare organizations, is what leads some to consider telehealth a growing future trend in healthcare.
The objective for organizations beginning to offer virtual care will be to continue delivering a high quality of care, a secure environment for both provider and patient, and favorable outcomes.
2. Expanded Mental Healthcare Services
Telehealth offers numerous benefits to patients seeking mental healthcare services, including medications, counseling, therapy, support. Telehealth has allowed for increased access to licensed professionals, as well as expanded services such as online support groups, which are especially beneficial for individuals with social anxiety or those who live in remote or underserved areas.
3. Personalized Treatment Plans
Telehealth offers providers the opportunity to gather a wealth of information about their patients through virtual visits, remote monitoring, and other technologies. This allows providers to tailor treatment plans specifically to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances and establish recurring appointments to monitor their progress or to tweak a treatment plan if outcomes are not as expected.
4. Improved Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based treatment approach for opioid addiction, which combines medication and behavioral therapy. Telehealth has made it easier for licensed practitioners to manage and monitor medications, as well as to provide counseling and support for patients in their journey to recovery.
5. Remote Monitoring
Remote monitoring allows providers to track patients’ progress and adjust treatment plans as necessary, without requiring in-person visits. This is especially important for individuals with co-occurring mental health and addiction issues, who may require ongoing monitoring and support.
6. Increased Patient Engagement
Telehealth provides numerous opportunities for patients to engage with their providers, including through secure messaging, video conferencing, and online portals. This increased engagement can lead to improved outcomes, as patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and make necessary lifestyle changes.
7. Increased Privacy and Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality are significant concerns for many individuals seeking substance use disorder treatments and mental health services. Telehealth can offer increased privacy and confidentiality, as patients can access services from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.
8. Technological Advancements
Technological advancements are driving the growth of telehealth. For example, virtual reality therapy is being used to treat a range of mental health conditions, while mobile apps are being developed to help individuals manage their mental health and addiction recovery on-the-go.
Telehealth will continue to shape the future of health services, due to the benefits of increased access to care and long term treatment plans that require monitoring for progress. As the provider of an easy to use cloud based solution for substance use disorder and mental healthcare organizations, AZZLY delivers an all-in-one integrated platform of services so documentation, telehealth virtual meetings and billing for services is accomplished with ease.
One crucial benefit of auto claims in telehealth is removing the human error of coding and submitting claims. Having Zoom virtual meetings available at a click of a button for all telehealth providers allows for appointment reminders to record attendance, duration of sessions and no-shows, sharing of presentation material, educational links, group sessions, closed caption and more. Real time documentation means notes get completed timely for billing services and cuts the need for additional staff to process claims.
For more on this topic, JOIN US April 20th for a complimentary webinar called Telehealth Reimbursement for Mental Health Services. Hear successful treatment center owners in Ohio and Arizona discuss revenue cycle management (RCM) practices including reimbursements for telehealth sessions. Register here to save your spot.
Continue the Discussion
Request a recording of previous AZZLY webinars on telehealth topics like Telehealth Models of Success and The Benefits of Launching Zoom Within Your EHR.
Speak with an EHR Expert to learn whether AZZLY could be the right fit for your organization. Contact AZZLY any time at hello@azzly.com or 1-888-400-3201.
